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What is a laser?

LASER stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
A laser is a single colour beam of light which is used in materials processing for supplying heat energy - whether for laser cutting, laser engraving or altering the surface properties of a material.
The laser light beam, when focused, provides an intense source of power for cutting, engraving/marking etc. and is a popular key method in modern technology for the manufacture of a huge range of products.

Why should I buy a CO2 laser machine?

Laser machines are a highly versatile method of altering the properties of materials - laser cutting, laser engraving etc. Lasers are the ideal technology for working in a wide range of job types and applications. They can both cut and engrave a wide range of materials, giving you professional products in a few simple steps.
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What's the difference between a laser cutting machine and a laser engraving machine?

The lens focal length is shorter in the laser engraving machine to give a finer spot size when working on materials. This gives a higher quality when engraving items such as photographic images.
The longer focal length lens on the laser cutting machines is more tolerant of focus height variations, and produces less taper in the cut edge. This is more relevant for cutting thicker materials, where a cutting lens would reduce the angle of laser cut sloped edges. This would only usually be apparent on materials with a relatively large depth to them, such as 20mm acrylic or thicker.
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Which materials can I work with on my CO2 laser?

CTR's CO2 laser machine systems can cut and engrave / mark a huge range of materials, such as acrylics, woods, fabrics and more. To see a list of some of the more frequently used materials, click here.

How can I choose the best laser for me?

There are three key questions to ask yourself when deciding on a laser machine:
- What is your primary use?
- Which materials are you looking to work with?
- What size of material do you need to process?
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How much do CTR's laser machines cost?

CTR's laser machines start from under £4,000 for a brand new CO2 laser machine system capable of cutting and engraving a huge range of materials. Due to the diversity of our products and to ensure you get the best laser machine for your work, please contact us to discuss the laser which is best suited to you, and we'll send you a no-obligation quotation showing exactly what you get for your money.
CTR also offer a range of finance options, such as leasing or renting a laser, and payment by installments to help you use the machine for income while paying for it.

How much does it cost to run a laser machine?

There are three main areas for a laser machine's running costs: power consumption (electricity etc), consumable parts, and maintenance.
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What do I need to get started with a CTR laser?

CTR provide you with almost all of the equipment needed to start your laser machine working - all you need to supply is the space for the machine to stand, a computer for your laser machine to run off (can be supplied to CTR if required), the sockets for the laser equipment to connect to, and yourself for the training.
CTR provide the laser machine, software, filtration and the knowledge on how to use it all.

Do I need special technicians to run a CTR laser?

No. CTR's installation staff will give you full training on how to use your new laser machine and the software provided, and how to carry out the basic routine maintenance. CTR's lasers are similar to using a printer (only more versatile!) so the training is easy to understand and the laser machine is simple to operate. If you have any questions beyond this then our trained laser machine support staff are only a phone call or email away.

What software and file types can I use with my laser machine?

All CTR laser machines come with software which can be used to design and/or import certain file types for laser cutting and laser engraving, so you don't need any external software. If you already use a different software package for your design work, then the following file types are compatible:
BMP - a bitmap file is used for engraving only (such as scanned pictures, photographs etc.
DXF - this popular vector file can be used for cutting and engraving.
AI - this vector file format can be used for cutting and engraving.
Please contact CTR if you have any other questions about file types and compatibility, or send us a file to check.

Which computer do I need to run a CTR laser machine?

Operating system: All CTR laser machines are designed to run from Windows software - we recommend Windows XP or Windows 7.
RAM - Random Access Memory: This is the computer's short term memory, and allows your computer to run faster by reducing the number of times that the computer processor has to read data from your hard disk (which is a slower process). This is important when running a laser machine directly from your computer, or you may become frustrated with your computer taking too long.
Processor Speed: A faster computer processor means you can do more tasks in less time.
Hard Drive: This is the permanent memory in your computer. Due to the low cost, it's a good idea to buy a bigger hard drive than you think you'll need, just in case you need to use it.
For a full computer specification, please click here.

What extraction do I need with my laser machine?

You have two options with laser machine extraction:
- vent to the atmosphere through an existing extraction system, window, door, or hole in the wall.
- use a fume filtration unit, which connects to your laser machine and filters out particles/smells created by lasering materials.
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Can CTR's lasers etch metal?

Yes. CO2 laser machines are able to mark coated metals such as annodised aluminium, or you can use a metal marking spray to etch on stainless steel. The laser beam will not eat into the metal, but rather performs a small chemical reaction with the coating on the metal to change the colouring, creating a contrast with the original colour.

Can CTR's lasers cut metal?

Only high power CO2 lasers (200W or higher) can cut through thin metals. Lower power CO2 laser beams will reflect off the metal and are unable to cut through the surface. To cut though metals you can use a different type of laser such as Fibre laser machines, which are specially designed to cut through metals.

What support do I get with my laser machine?

All of our machines come with unlimited, lifetime support. If you have a problem or any questions you can call during our normal office open hours or send us an email or fax and one of our technical engineers will come back to you with a response as quickly as possible. CTR provide both warranty and support on our products - for warranty information, please see the individual product pages, or click here for general information.

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